Basketball On The Internet.

THE 36ers last night found a way to escape Cairns unscathed but NZ didn't give itself any breaks in Perth and the Wildcats don't need help to beat you.

They had a bit anyway with the inspirational early return of skipper Damian Martin but the Breakers going to the free throw line and connecting on 16-of-29 was suicidal.

The Breakers basically handed Perth their own heads on a platter, connecting on 3-of-10 down the stretch to leave the Wildcats enough opportunities to seal it.

The "Old Fella", Shawn Redhage (above), then drove to make the sealing basket, even though Corey Webster and Reuben Te Rangi still were going to make big late triples to keep it interesting for NZ.

Cedric Jackson went close to a triple-double with 15 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. But missing a layup and clunking free throws when it mattered took the gloss off his game.

Casey Prather was a big factor for Perth and Nate Jawai was, well, Nate Jawai.

NORTH in Cairns, the sight of rugby superstar Jonathon Thurston in the uniform of the Orangemen (below) apparently reduced grown men to tears, dropping to their knees in the streets of Townsville and screaming: "Noooooooooooo!"

The 36ers pulled 10 clear during the last quarter, initially on a Brendan Teys three, then again on Jerome Randle free throws.

But applying fullcourt pressure, the Taipans forced a number of uncharacteristic Sixers turnovers to draw within three at 83-86 and twice had great looks for the tie.

Shaun Bruce misfired one missile and Cam Gliddon a second, allowing Adelaide to get out of jail and out of town with an 88-83 win.

Pretty sure the 36ers aren't too thrilled with this incident (below) when Cairns centre Matt Burston appeared to go well out of his way to ensure his screen did maximum damage to Randle.

Amazing how three referees can miss that but they can tell bench players waving towels in excited support of their teammates to sit down!

Life's funny like that.

Tonight: IF I had a dollar for the many times Townsville has given teams massive head starts, then had to grind their way back, I'd probably have about $6. The Crocs did it again against United so to reverse their home loss to Illawarra tonight in Wollongong, that's one issue to address. Two teams with great shooters should ensure a fun contest, without any of the malice we've seen sneaking in a bit lately. At home, still got to stick with Illawarra. 

Last night: ADELAIDE 36ERS 88 (Randle 28, Johnson 17, Petrie 11, Ere 10; Creek, Gibson 6 rebs; Gibson 4 assts) d CAIRNS TAIPANS 83 (Worthington 19, Weigh 17, Gliddon 13; Worthington 6 rebs; Gliddon 5 assts) at Cairns Convention Centre. PERTH WILDCATS 86 (Beal 19, Prather 18, Jawai 15, Jervis 10; Jervis 10 rebs; Knight 5 assts) d NZ BREAKERS 80 (Webster 23, Ce Jackson 15, Ch Jackson 11; Ce Jackson 8 rebs; Ce Jackson 8 asts) at Perth Arena.

Online

Sixers' great escape: http://bit.ly/1Huk8n5

Bowen out for Lightning: http://bit.ly/1XmEcPb

Ben Simmons and the hype: http://bit.ly/1NxDMkt